Boles said, “For 105 years the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has engaged millions who want to celebrate the true spirit of American racing. IMS will continue to warmly welcome all who share our enthusiasm for motorsports – employees, participants and fans.” adding, “I can also confirm that this is the position of all Hulman & Company organizations, including INDYCAR. We welcome everyone.”

By comparison, in a statement issued by NASCAR, the sanctioning body said it was “disappointed” by the legislation and that they would not “not embrace or participate in exclusion or intolerance.” In an interview with ESPN, NCAA President Mark Emmert said that the NCAA wants to hold its championship in an “inclusive” environment and “right now we’re not sure that we have that” in Indiana. “We’re very serious about our core values and we want to make sure we can operate in an environment that is supportive of those values, so this is a very serious issue for us.”

If they truly disagree with this law, the Speedway and its board of directors have an opportunity to let their voices be heard. The Indy 500 leads the US in economic impact, contributing $727 million dollars to Indiana’s economy.

In addition to that economic impact, the speedway and the board have a direct line to the Governor’s Mansion.

When checks like this are written to politicians – they typically return your call. IMS and the board have a unique opportunity here – more so than some band canceling its show or an outraged fan venting on social media.

While IMS will welcome gay race fans – what about local hotels or restaurants? This law would allow those fans to be turned away.

If IMS truly wants to “warmly welcome all who share our enthusiasm for motorsports” then they should take the lead in having this archaic law repealed.

IMS missed an opportunity to take the lead in demanding equality for every American…… race fan or not, gay or not….. equality for all.

NASCAR issued a statement about the controversial new Religious Freedom Law in Indiana – home of the Brickyard 400 at IMS.

“NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race.”

NASCAR has not been silent on similar issues in the past. In 2014, before a race in Phoenix, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a similar law that passed in Arizona. At that time NASCAR said, ““We are pleased with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s veto of SB1062. NASCAR actively strives to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the motorsports industry. NASCAR has a zero tolerance policy against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, race, gender, national origin, age, color, disability, religion, or other factors which deny the essential humanity of all people.”

In 2013 when driver Nelson Piquet Jr posted a homophobic slur on social media, the sanctioning body fined the driver and released a statement saying , “Nelson Piquet Jr. recently communicated an offensive and derogatory term that cannot be tolerated in our sport. NASCAR’s Code of Conduct explicitly spells out in the 2013 rule book our position regarding the use of disparaging terms. We expect our entire industry to abide by this Code.”

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway released a statement today in regards to Indiana’s new “Religious Freedom Law.”

Speedway President Doug Boles told Queers4Gears, “For 105 years the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has engaged millions who want to celebrate the true spirit of American racing. IMS will continue to warmly welcome all who share our enthusiasm for motorsports – employees, participants and fans.” adding, “I can also confirm that this is the position of all Hulman & Company organizations, including INDYCAR. We welcome everyone.”

Kevin Harvick had one job to do….and he did it, happily winning the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The driver of the #4 Budweiser did it commanding fashion, leading 264 of 312 laps.

The win locks Harvick into the Final Four Spots that will decide the Championship next week in North Cuba. No other driver had anything for the #4 as Harvick lept to a commanding lead on every restart – despite a record 12 cautions giving others ample opportunities.

The other three spot locks were more fluid than a baby’s diaper as the race wore on in front of a sold out crowd in the desert.

The 4th spot was yanked out of Jeff Gordon’s hand on the last lap when Ryan Newman “moved” Kyle Larson in Turn 4 – sealing his chance to compete for the Sprint Cup.

Gordon squared off “West Side Story Style” with Brad Keselowski last week in Texas after Bad-Brad made a move to try and steal the victory. When asked about Newman making a similar move today to knock him out of contention, Gordon said, “it made last week even tougher to swallow,” adding, “if (that move) is acceptable then, it is acceptable now.”

Newman made it into the final four by the skin of his neck. For his part, on bumping Larson, Newman said, “I did what I had to do, I don’t like racing like that. I didn’t take him out. He still finished the race. In a day or two, he’ll understand.”

Never give up! It is a lesson we were all taught as a kid but a lesson that Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano really took to heart today.

On lap 32 Hamlin got a flat tire during a pit stop when the valve stem was knocked off by the air gun. The odd incident caused Denny to pit a second time and lose a lap. Many wrote off the #11 team but they fought back for a 5th place finish.

Logano’s day seemed to run downhill several times. On lap 124, during a pit stop the #22 team was penalized for removing equipment from the pit box. Starting in the back of the field, it didn’t take long for the lightning quick Harvick to put Logano a lap down. On lap 212 when Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer made contact, Joey went low to avoid the #18 and in the process contacted Danica Patrick.

The contract resulted in a tire rub on the #22. After the race Logano said, “We (Danica) hit pretty hard but it didn’t knock the toe out. When NASCAR threw the red flag we had time to talk about the damage on the radio and for me to calm down.” The #22 quickly pulled the fender out and kept Logano in contention. JoLo fought to the end and finished P6, sealing his place in the final four on points. His teammate, Brad Keselowski, didn’t fair so well at PIR.

Former Cup Champion Keselowski, who had the most wins of any driver this season needed to win again at PIR to grab one of those final four spots. He finished fourth – but that was three spots short. The #2 had several shots at Harvick on multiple restarts but Miller Light had nothing for Budweiser today.

“We were just a little bit short,” said Keselowski. “Kevin was really, really strong all day long. We just weren’t strong enough to win. We were strong enough to run second or third, and ended up fourth. A lot to be proud of, just not enough.”

Now, a short message to all of the Chase Haters filling my timeline at the moment. STFU!

Yeah, I get it. If you’re a Keselowski or Gordon fan you are mad that your guy won’t have a shot for another title. But if you’re a Hamlin or Newman fan you love this new format. This new format has delivered that every week and I expect it to deliver next week in Florida. So sit back and enjoy the show!

When NASCAR first announced the new Chase format for this season, no one could have imagined what we’ll see on Sunday. 8 men aiming for the final four spots in Homestead and none of them are locked in.

Only 18 points separate the top from the bottom.

You might as well toss another point Denny Hamlin’s way as he won the pole position and assuming he gets a good start when the green flag drops he will earn a bonus point for leading that first lap. At this point, Hamlin is tied with Logano who will start 4th on Sunday.

To clinch on of the final four spots: Newman needs to finish 9th or better (10th w/ one lap led or 11th w/ most laps lead), Logano and Hamlin need to finish 11th or better (12th w/ one lap led or 13th w/ most laps led).

Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick have the most stress to bare as they each can only control their destiny by going to Victory Lane.

Harvick and Keselowski have been at the top of the speed charts this weekend. Both the #2 and #4 team unloaded fast cars and their set-ups are getting faster. But, will Keselowski’s recent actions allow a spurned driver to deliver some payback on Sunday?